Carrying and storage case for liquid applicator

ABSTRACT

A combination carrying and storage case is disclosed comprising a hollow plastic shell member defining a lower inclined compartment and an upper horizontal compartment that are interconnected and extend from each other at an obtuse angle. The shell is formed of first and second side walls connected by a curved envelope with the upper half of the horizontal chamber including a pivotal closure member including portions of the side wall and the envelope and including a T-shaped handle-leg extending downwardly from adjacent one end of the horizontal chamber to support that end of the chamber and for use as a handle for carrying the container.

United States Patent [191 Jolly [54] CARRYING AND STORAGE CASE FORLIQUID APPLICATOR James D. Jolly, McQuady, Ky. 40153 Filed: Apr. 10,1973 Appl. No.: 350,613

[76] lnventor:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1901 Cutter 15/257.4 10/1927Fries 15/257.4 3/1946 Dolce.... 15/264 X 7/1957 Freund.. l5/257.05 X

4/1963 Moore 206/151 B 7/1966 Black 248/359 X Nov. 26, 1974 3,663,9825/1972 Hayden 15/248 A X 3,707,242 12/1972 Golden et al. l5/257.06 XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 805,475 12/1958 Great Britain l5/257.061,159,380 7/1969 Great Britain 134/149 Primary Examiner-Daniel BlumAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason, Fenwick &

Lawrence [57] ABSTRACT A combination carrying and storage case isdisclosed comprising a hollow plastic shell member defining a lowerinclined compartment and an upper horizontal compartment that areinterconnected and extend from each other at an obtuse angle. The shellis formed of first and second side walls connected by a curved envelopewith the upper half of the horizontal chamber including a pivotalclosure member including portions of the side wall and the envelope andincluding a T- shaped handle-leg extending downwardly from adjacent oneend of the horizontal chamber to support that end of the chamber and foruse as a handle for carrying the container.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTE r-zuvzstsu SHEEI 1 01'- 2 CARRYINGAND STORAGE CASE FOR LIQUID APPLICATOR This invention is in the field ofcarrying and storage cases and containers and is specifically directedto a unique device for the carrying and/or storing of a conventionalhandheld liquid applicator of the type having a handle and rolleroriented perpendicularly with respect to each other and connected byconnector portions with means being provided to supply liquid to theroller through the handle and connector portion during usage of theapplicator.

Former applicator devices of the above-mentioned type find widespreadusage in painting, adhesive applying and other operations; however, suchdevices must be thoroughly cleaned and disassembled at the close of eachworkday in order to prevent undesirable clogging and drying of the workliquid both in and on the applicator. Users of devices of the foregoingtype frequently merely discard the applicator roller at the close of theworkday rather than go to the trouble of cleaning and storing the rollerfor subsequent use. Either alternative is unsatisfactory sincediscarding of the roller is obviously uneconomical while the cleaningand storage of the roller requires a substantial time period and is alsoconsequently uneconomical for that reason.

Moreover, roller applicators of the aforementioned type include valvingmeans and other internal passageways which must be thoroughly cleanedprior to storage in order to avoid the drying and clogging of thematerial on the interior of the device.

Therefore, it will be apparent that substantial problems are existent inthe use and operation of hand-held liquid applicators of the type inwhich paint, adhesive or other material is supplied through internalpassageways for application through or onto an applicator roller. It isthe primary object of this invention to alleviate the aforediscussedproblems.

Even more significantly, it is the primary object of this invention toprovide a new and improved carrying and storage case for liquidapplicator devices which greatly lessens or eliminates the need for thefull cleaning of the device at the close of a workday and which permitsstorage of the applicator without the need of a complete cleaning forsubstantial periods without resultant damage to the applicator or theapplicator roll.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a new andimproved storage and carrying case for liquid applicators of the rollertype.

Achievement of the objects of this invention is enabled through theprovision of a storing and carrying case or container formed unitarilyof plastic or the like. The container is formed of a shell includingfirst and second side walls connected by a curved envelope plate withthe side walls being shaped to define a roller compartment dimensionedto receive the mounted applicator roll of a hand-held applicator withthe roller chamber being inclined at an acute angle with respect to thehorizontal and being of generally U-shaped configuration.

The envelope plate also defines in conjunction with the side walls ahorizontal handle compartment into which the handle of the applicatoriseasily positioned. The roller compartment can hold a sufficientquantity of solvent compatible with the work material being used in theapplicator to cover the-roller and maintain sufficient solvent vapors inthe entire device to prevent drying of the parts not covered by solvent.

A T-shaped handle comprising a vertical leg extends downwardly from thelower portion of the handle compartment and terminates in a horizontalhandle portion provided for supporting the device with the handlechamber in horizontal orientation when the device is positioned on arelatively flat horizontal surrporting surface. Additionally, the handlemember can be manually grasped to carry the container or case from placeto place with the handle being positioned adjacent the outer end of thehandle compartment so that upon lifting of the handle, the rollercompartment assumes a lowermost position with the solvent in the rollercompartment remaining in covering relationship to the roller.

Additionally, a hinged closure for the case is provided in that the sidewall and the envelope portions defining the handle compartment areseparated along a line so that the upper half of the handle chamber canbe hingedly pivoted upwardly to provide access to the interior of thecase, for either insertion or removal of the liquid applicator device.The applicator device includes a male fitting on one end of the handlewhich is normally connected to a source of pressurized work fluid duringuse of the device. This fitting is received in a mating aperture in theend of the handle chamber member wall consisting of a circular openinghalf formed in the pivotal upper half closure portion of the handlechamber and half formed in the fixed end wall portion of the handlecompartment so that opening of the closure releases the connector memberin order to permit removal of the applicator from within the device.However, upon closure of the closure member, the handle is effectivelyretained in fixed position to prevent unwanted movement of theapplicator within the container case.

A better understanding of the manner in which the subject inventionachieves the objects of this invention will be enabled when thefollowing written description is considered in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in a closedcondition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in an opencondition;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

Attention is initially invited to FIG. 1 which illustrates the preferredembodiment, generally designated 20, in a closed condition supported ona horizontal supporting surface S (FIG. 3). The preferred embodimentcomprises a storing or carrying case in the form of a hollow plastic ormetal shell defined by first and second identical side walls 22 and 24which are connected by a curved envelope plate 26. Side wall 22 isformed of an inclined leg plate portion 22' and a horizontal leg plateportion 22"; similarly, wall 24 is formed of an inclined leg plate 24'and a horizontal leg plate portion 24".

The container or case is for the purpose of carrying and/or storing ahand-held roller applicator device 30 of conventional constructionforming no part of this invention, but which will be discussed in orderto appreciate the purposes of the various details of the invention. Theroller applicator 30 includes a handle member 32 having a male connectornipple type fitting 34 extending from one end connected to a pressurehose 13 through which work liquid or the like provided for a roller 36mounted to receive work liquid supplied by means of a plurality of spraymembers 38 extending along the length of a supporting manifold 40positioned adjacent the outer surface of the roller 36.

Roller member 36 is oriented with its axis extending perpendicularly tothe handle 32 by means of a hollow connector conduit 42. The handle 32,the connector conduit 42 and manifold 40 etc. all include hollowpassageways and/or valving which would be plugged and effectively ruinedif the work liquid should be permitted to dry therein.

The envelope plate 26 is curved to define, in conjunction with leg plateportions 22 and 24, a lower inclined roller compartment 44 inclined atan acute angle with respect to the horizontal as viewed in FIG. 3.Compartment 44 is of U-shaped configuration comprising linear side legplates 46 and 48 connected by a curved end portion 50 of the envelope26. Solvent 47 can be provided in compartment 44 to a depth sufficientto fully cover the roller 36 and the associated nozzles 38 etc. toprevent the drying out of work liquid therein.

A horizontal handle compartment 60 defined on its sides by horizontalleg plates 22" and 24" extends horizontally from the upper end of theroller chamber 44 and includes envelope portions including a horizontalfioor plate 62, an end wall plate 64 and an upper plate 66. The upperportion of the handle compartment 60 is divided along a line 70 todefine a pivotal closure member 72 connected to the fixed portion of theupper plate 66 by hinge means 74.

A latch 76 permits the closure member 72 to be latched in closedposition and a semi-circular opening 80 in the lower edge of the closuremember 72 (FIG. 2) faces a similar opening 82 in the upper edge of theend wall 64 to define a circular opening through which the male fitting34 and the end of the supply hose 13 connected thereto extends when theclosure member is latched in closed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1.The hose 13 would remain attached to the case during overnight storageat a work location.

A T-shaped member comprising a vertical leg 90 ahving a horizontalhandle 92 on its lower end is provided to extend downwardly from thefloor plate 62 for supporting the container in the position illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3 on a horizontal supporting surface with the handle 92providing an effective means which can be held in the hand of a user tocarry the device in an obvious manner. When supported by handle 92, theroller chamber 44 remains in the lowermost part of the case and thesolvent therein remains in covering relation with respect to the roller36 etc.

Therefore, it will be seen that the instant invention provides acarrying case in which the applicator 30 can be carried or stored forsubstantial periods of time without necessitating the cleaning of theroller 36 etc. Upwardly extending ridges 93 in the floor plate 62 areprovided for permitting the roller to be rolled thereover to removeexcess solvent from the pores of the roller.

Numerous modifications of the subject invention will undoubtedly occurto those of skill in the art; however, it should be understood that thespirit and scope of the invention is to be limited solely in light ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator .of the typehaying a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the rollerand a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to theaxis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising ahollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamberincluding an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permitsaid roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartmentbeing of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid insaid roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse aroller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internalchamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extendingunitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent ofsaid inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuseangle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment, saidportion of the shell member defining said handle receiving compartmentincluding a pivotal closure member hingedly connected to another portionof said shell member and a protrusion member extending downwardly fromthe portion of said shell defining the lower extent of said handlereceiving chamber to engage a supporting surface for supporting theportion of said shell defining said handle receiving compartment inhorizontal orientation when the container is positioned on a horizontalsupport surface said protrusion member comprising a T-shaped handle-legdefined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portionextending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical legportion.

2. A carryingand storing container for a liquid applicator of the typehaving a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the rollerand a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to theaxis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising ahollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamberincluding an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient topermitsaid roller to be positioned therein, said roller receivingcompartment being of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solventliquid in said roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient toimmerse a roller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, saidinternal chamber also including a closed handle receiving compartmentextending unitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upperextent of said inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at anobtuse angle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartmentand a protrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of saidshell defining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber toengage a supporting surface for supporting the portion of said shelldefining said handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientationwhen the container is positioned on a horizontal support surface, saidprotrusion member comprising a T-shaped handle-leg having a verticallegportion and a horizontal handle portion extending perpendicularly fromthe lower end of said vertical leg portion, the portion of said shellmember defining said handle receiving compartment including a pivotalclosure member and wherein said T-shaped member and said hollow shellare formed of plastic material.-

3. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator of the typehaving a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the rollerand a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to theaxis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising ahollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamberincluding an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permitsaid roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartmentbeing of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid insaid roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse aroller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internal.chamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extendingunitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent ofsaid inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuseangle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment and aprotrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of said shelldefining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber to engage asupporting surface for supporting the portion of said shell definingsaid handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientation when thecontainer is positioned on a horizontal support surface, wherein saidshell member includes first and second spaced planar side walls eachunitarily formed of an inclined plate and a horizontal plate, a curvedcontinuous envelope extending between and connecting said first andsecond planar side walls, said envelope including a U- shaped portiondefining said roller receiving compartment, a flat horizontal floorportion extending from the junction of said handle receiving compartmentand said roller receiving compartment and an upwardly curved end walltermination of said handle receiving compartment and the upper portionof said handle receiving compartment including a pivotal closure memberhingedly connected to a horizontal top cover envelope portion extendingfrom the upper side of said roller receiving compartment.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said protrusion member comprises aT-shaped handle-leg defined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontalhandle portion extending perpendicularly from the lower end of saidvertical leg portion.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said vertical leg portion extendsdownwardly from the end of said horizontal floor portion adjacent saidend wall of the handle compartment.

6. The invention of claim 5 additionally including an aperture partiallyformed in the end of the handle compartment and partially formed in theclosure member for receiving and holding a nipple fitting on the end ofthe handle of a liquid applicator positioned in the case or container.

l l l=

1. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator of the typehaving a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the rollerand a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to theaxis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising ahollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamberincluding an inclined roller reCeiving compartment oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permitsaid roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartmentbeing of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid insaid roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse aroller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internalchamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extendingunitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent ofsaid inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuseangle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment, saidportion of the shell member defining said handle receiving compartmentincluding a pivotal closure member hingedly connected to another portionof said shell member and a protrusion member extending downwardly fromthe portion of said shell defining the lower extent of said handlereceiving chamber to engage a supporting surface for supporting theportion of said shell defining said handle receiving compartment inhorizontal orientation when the container is positioned on a horizontalsupport surface said protrusion member comprising a T-shaped handle-legdefined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portionextending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical legportion.
 2. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator ofthe type having a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting theroller and a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular tothe axis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprisinga hollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamberincluding an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permitsaid roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartmentbeing of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid insaid roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse aroller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internalchamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extendingunitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent ofsaid inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuseangle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment and aprotrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of said shelldefining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber to engage asupporting surface for supporting the portion of said shell definingsaid handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientation when thecontainer is positioned on a horizontal support surface, said protrusionmember comprising a T-shaped handle-leg having a vertical leg portionand a horizontal handle portion extending perpendicularly from the lowerend of said vertical leg portion, the portion of said shell memberdefining said handle receiving compartment including a pivotal closuremember and wherein said T-shaped member and said hollow shell are formedof plastic material.
 3. A carrying and storing container for a liquidapplicator of the type having a cylindrical roller with connector meansconnecting the roller and a handle extending in a direction generallyperpendicular to the axis of the roller spaced from the roller, saidcontainer comprising a hollow shell member defining a completely closedinternal chamber including an inclined roller receiving compartmentoriented at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal and of a widthsufficient to permit said roller to be positioned therein, said rollerreceiving compartment being of sufficient depth to permit the holding ofsolvent liquid in said roller receiving compartment to a depthsufficient to immerse a roller positioned in the roller receivingcompartment, said internal chamber also including a closed handlereceiving compartment extending unitarily in a generally horizontaldirecTion from the upper extent of said inclined roller receivingcompartment and oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to saidinclined roller receiving compartment and a protrusion member extendingdownwardly from the portion of said shell defining the lower extent ofsaid handle receiving chamber to engage a supporting surface forsupporting the portion of said shell defining said handle receivingcompartment in horizontal orientation when the container is positionedon a horizontal support surface, wherein said shell member includesfirst and second spaced planar side walls each unitarily formed of aninclined plate and a horizontal plate, a curved continuous envelopeextending between and connecting said first and second planar sidewalls, said envelope including a U-shaped portion defining said rollerreceiving compartment, a flat horizontal floor portion extending fromthe junction of said handle receiving compartment and said rollerreceiving compartment and an upwardly curved end wall termination ofsaid handle receiving compartment and the upper portion of said handlereceiving compartment including a pivotal closure member hingedlyconnected to a horizontal top cover envelope portion extending from theupper side of said roller receiving compartment.
 4. The invention ofclaim 3 wherein said protrusion member comprises a T-shaped handle-legdefined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portionextending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical legportion.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said vertical leg portionextends downwardly from the end of said horizontal floor portionadjacent said end wall of the handle compartment.
 6. The invention ofclaim 5 additionally including an aperture partially formed in the endof the handle compartment and partially formed in the closure member forreceiving and holding a nipple fitting on the end of the handle of aliquid applicator positioned in the case or container.